Fantastic Fairy-tales - The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Published: January 13th, 2015

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Pages: 336

Copy: Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does…

As the world turns upside down, Hazel tries to remember her years pretending to be a knight. But swept up in new love, shifting loyalties, and the fresh sting of betrayal, will it be enough?

No-one does faerie stories quite like Holly Black!

Faeries are real in Fairfold and Hazel and her brother Ben are up to their ears in Faerie troubles, even if they don't know it.  Ms Black pulls on several well known fairy tales - Sleeping Beauty being the most obvious - in this modern tale of fae and human interactions.  I could just picture Hazel and Ben as kids, with their pretend costumes and swords, trying to save the sleeping faerie prince.

There are some intriguing twists and false leads in the story, so that the reader is almost at as much of a loss as the characters to know what is going on, and there is enough mystery and adventure to keep most people happy, and just enough romance too, although some of it might surprise you - not quite the usual 'happily ever after'.

This was fun and quick to read and if you like your faerie (fairy - what is the difference?) tales with a modern slant I'm sure you'll enjoy this one.

Fantastic Fairytales - Stitching Snow by R. C. Lewis

Published: October 14th, 2014

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Pages: 338

Copy: Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

Princess Snow is missing.

Her home planet is filled with violence and corruption at the hands of King Matthias and his wife as they attempt to punish her captors. The king will stop at nothing to get his beloved daughter back—but that’s assuming she wants to return at all.

Essie has grown used to being cold. Temperatures on the planet Thanda are always sub-zero, and she fills her days with coding and repairs for the seven loyal drones that run the local mines.

When a mysterious young man named Dane crash-lands near her home, Essie agrees to help the pilot repair his ship. But soon she realizes that Dane’s arrival was far from accidental, and she’s pulled into the heart of a war she’s risked everything to avoid. With the galaxy’s future—and her own—in jeopardy, Essie must choose who to trust in a fiery fight for survival.

Review

Who's up for a space opera Snow White?  You are?  Well this is the book for you.  We have a princess on the run, taking care of the seven drones - what a wonderful reincarnation of the seven dwarves they are - and just trying to survive and keep things low key.

Enter our Prince Charming - Dane - who is far from charming this time around.  I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction between Essie and Dane. It had me laughing out loud on a couple of occasions.  Every character had his/her own agenda and half the fun was unraveling the threads of the story. My favourite characters - the drones.  They really did seem to have  personalities of their own.

This was a very clever retelling of the perennial favourite, and reminded me in a few small ways of 'Cinder' and 'Scarlet' by Marissa Meyer - more because of setting than because of actual plot, so if you enjoyed those two, be sure to pick up a copy of 'Stitching Snow.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Fantastic Fairytales - Pennyroyal Academy by M A Larson

Published: October 7th, 2014

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Pages: 304

Copy: Publisher via Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

Pennyroyal Academy: Seeking bold, courageous youths to become tomorrow's princesses and knights….Come one, come all!

A girl from the forest arrives in a bustling kingdom with no name and no idea why she is there, only to find herself at the center of a world at war.  She enlists at Pennyroyal Academy, where princesses and knights are trained to battle the two great menaces of the day: witches and dragons. There, given the name “Evie,” she must endure a harsh training regimen under the steel glare of her Fairy Drillsergeant, while also navigating an entirely new world of friends and enemies. As Evie learns what it truly means to be a princess, she realizes surprising things about herself and her family, about human compassion and inhuman cruelty. And with the witch forces moving nearer, she discovers that the war between princesses and witches is much more personal than she could ever have imagined.

Set in Grimm’s fairytale world, M.A. Larson’s Pennyroyal Academymasterfully combines adventure, humor, and magical mischief.

It was lovely to read a fairytale retelling that was so different from the norm.  This takes all of the established 'Princess' tales and turns them upside down.  I loved the nod to stereotypes and the fact that princesses are not born, but are made.  The idea that a girl has to go to school to learn how to become a princess fit for a fairy tale is just wonderful and Ms Larson does a great job in setting up the story.

The mystery that is Evie was quite compelling and I for one was fascinated when I realized just exactly who she was referring to as her mother and father - what a wonderful departure from the norm. It's hard to talk about the story without giving major spoilers, but suffice to say, if you are a fairytale fan, I think you're going to love Pennyroyal Academy.  With plenty of fledgling princesses and knights and hordes of dragons and witches for them to fight, you can't go wrong. Oh and there is a lovely twist at the end.  I just loved this story.

Enter to win a copy of Haze or Shadows by Paula Weston!!  Currently there are LOW ENTRIES so your chances are HIGH!!

Grim edited by Christine Johnson

Published: 25th, 2014

Publisher: Harlequine Teen

Pages: 480

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Inspired by classic fairy tales, but with a dark and sinister twist, Grim contains short stories from some of the best voices in young adult literature today:

Ellen Hopkins
Amanda Hocking
Julie Kagawa
Claudia Gray
Rachel Hawkins
Kimberly Derting
Myra McEntire
Malinda Lo
Sarah Rees-Brennan
Jackson Pearce
Christine Johnson
Jeri Smith Ready
Shaun David Hutchinson
Saundra Mitchell
Sonia Gensler
Tessa Gratton
Jon Skrovan

Ok, I have to confess, I haven't had the time to get to this one yet.  I brought it home from work, and then had to take it back as there was a hold on it.  I'm back on the waiting list and I will get to it - eventually.  Some of my favourite authors are featured here, and I'm really quite looking forward to it. It has a four star rating on Goodreads, so it must be pretty good.  Has anyone out there in fairytale lovers land read this one yet? If you have, let us know what you thought.

In Case You Missed It - Snow White Blood Red by Cameron Jace

Published: May 2012

Publisher: Kindle

Pages: 25

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

What if all you knew about fairy tales was wrong?

Book description of Snow White Blood Red: A Grimm Diaries Prequel as told by the Snow White Queen:

I have always wondered why you never asked about my name. Was I so superficial to you? So stereotypical and mundane? Why did you treat me as if I were just the monster of the week? You know what I think? You never had the time to really hate me. You wanted to hate me, long before you even met me. You wanted to scrape my existence and avenge your childhood princess by laying all blame on me. What if they didn’t call me the Evil Queen, what if I told you the real story from my point of view instead of hers, would you ever think of me as an angel? Could I ever make you care? I know that deep inside of you, you adore me,but you’re just scared, afraid to admit how much you love the Snow White Queen.

This Grimm Diaries Prequels are a number of short books in the form of epistolary diary entries. The diaries are more of teasers for the upcoming series: The Grimm Diaries, allowing you to get a glimpse of what to expect of the series.

Review:

I had a craving for a fairytale re-telling but I didn't want to commit to a lengthy novel so this fit the bill.  Jace sets this series of prequels up telling us that the Grimm brothers were documenting fairy tales after encountering the real characters but embellishing here and there.  This prequel narrated by the Evil Queen discusses Snow White's not so innocent childhood and how her mother actually had quite a love for her child...enough to turn a blind eye.  Interesting premise.  I am interested to see what more Cameron has in store for us as he tweaks my Disney version into something a little more dark and twisted.  :)  Fun, quick read for you fairytale lovers!

Fantastic Fairytales - Poison by Brigid Zinn

 

Published: March 2013 

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Pages: 288

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

Yet again I am stretching the definition of fairy tale, but Poison pretty much read like one - it had that kind of feel to it.  Poison was a wonderful read.  It was short, cute and funny with characters that were a joy to read about.  It's a medieval type fantasy adventure with magic in the form of potions and Kyra is a Master potions maker.  She was smart, pithy and sure of herself.  Willing to do whatever it takes for the good of the country, even if it means killing her best friend.  What I loved about her was that she didn't give up.  She made a mistake and instead of burying her head in the sand, she hides and tries to work out another way to achieve her goal.

Where Ms. Zinn came up with the idea of a search pig, I don't know, but it adds a lovely humourous touch to the narrative. Add to that a handsome adventurer with an air of mystery and the story really takes off., and there was a lovely twist or three towards the end that kept me guessing. I love it when a book keeps me smiling, don't you?  You know as a reader that the situations are unlikely, but you just don't care and keep reading because it's enjoyable.

 I read Poison in just over a day and I was thinking how much I would enjoy reading more by Ms. Zinn, when I discovered that she is no longer with us.   Poison was her first, and now only, book and I feel saddened by that fact.  Give yourself a quick, delicious treat and read Poison and then join with me in regretting that we won't see any more by Ms. Zinn.  A budding talent cut short, but I'm just glad I had a chance to read and discover her.

Fantastic Fairytales - Charming by Elliot James

 

Published: September 2013

Publisher: Orbit

Pages: 400

Copy: from publisher

Summary: Goodreads

He comes from a line of Charmings — an illustrious family of dragon slayers, witch-finders and killers dating back to before the fall of Rome. Trained by a modern day version of the Knights Templar, monster hunters who have updated their methods from chainmail and crossbows to kevlar and shotguns, he was one of the best. That is — until he became the abomination the Knights were sworn to hunt.

That was a lifetime ago. Now, he tends bar under an assumed name in rural Virginia and leads a peaceful, quiet life. One that shouldn't change just because a vampire and a blonde walked into his bar... Right?

Ok, so I realise that putting this one in under the Fantastic Fairytales banner is a bit of a stretch, but let's face it, where would fairy tales be without the princes Charming? 

Charming was a thoroughly enjoyable, lighthearted and funny paranormal  that explains the inclusion of all those Prince Charming's in the tales, and answers the question 'What happened to them'.  Obviously a good prince Charming never dies.

There was some great world building, with a very plausible, if somewhat unlikely reason for vampires and werewolves etc.  With a diverse cast of characters and a very believable attraction between John and Sig, I particularly loved the fact that they acknowledged their attraction but didn't act on it immediately, or completely..  Stanislavsky and his two nephews made the best bad guys and Molly was just brilliant as the spiritual member of the group.  Her extreme faith was believable, yet she never turned into a bible thumper. With lots of tongue in cheek humour,  this particular Charming has his hands full just keeping himself under the radar, and you'll laugh out loud and cheer him on through all his trials and tribulations. 

Not specifically a YA, this one is just fine for older teens.

Fantastic Fairytales - Beauty by Nancy Ohlin (writing as Nancy Butcher)

 

 Published: May 2013, Originally published 2005

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Pages: 175

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Ana is nothing like her glamorous mother, Queen Veda, whose hair is black as ravens and whose lips are red as roses. Alas, Queen Veda loathes anyone whose beauty dares to rival her own—including her daughter.

And despite Ana’s attempts to be plain to earn her mother’s affection,
she’s sent away to the kingdom’s exclusive boarding school.

At the Academy, Ana is devastated when her only friend abandons her for the popular girls. Isolated and alone, Ana resolves to look like a true princess to earn the acceptance she desires.

But when she uncovers the dangerous secret that makes all of the girls at the Academy so gorgeous, just how far will Ana go to fit in?

As much of a fan as I am of fairy tale retellings, for some reason this one didn't catch my interest too much.   Beauty is very, very loosely based on Snow White, - wicked queen obsessed with beauty and jealous of her daughter, but this one while not modern in setting, had a modern feel to it. 

Beauty in this instance is a drug, in pill form, that the girls become addicted to.  There is a 'little man' who is helping the queen to keep her beauty but nothing really clicked about him.  I'd love to be able to pin down what I wasn't keen on in this book, but I think it was just in general.  I didn't connect to Ana, and because of that couldn't connect to the others.

Still, if you are a fan of retellings, give it a try (it's a really quick read) and let me know what you think.  It wasn't bad, just not for me.

Fantastic Fairytales - Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast has been my favourite fairy tale for as long as I can remember, other than a brief interlude with Goldilocks and the three bears when I was little. There is just something about the idea of getting to know someone for who they really are and not relying on the superficial.  I think it struck a real cord with me when I was working at a university library in my early 20's and one of our students looked really fierce and unapproachable - he had tribal scars all over his face.  When I got to know him, I discovered that he was the gentlest, sweetest person you could ever hope to meet. It taught me a very valuable lesson about not always assuming the worst and giving people a second chance.  Beauty and the Beast is at its heart a story about second chances.

So I am thrilled and delighted to have discovered two new retellings of Beauty and the Beast.  I am really looking forward to reading both of these.  If you've already had a chance, let me know what you thought.

 

Published: July 23rd, 2013

In the beginning was the darkness, and in the darkness was a girl, and in the girl was a secret...

In the domed city of Yuan, the blind Princess Isra, a Smooth Skin, is raised to be a human sacrifice whose death will ensure her city’s vitality. In the desert outside Yuan, Gem, a mutant beast, fights to save his people, the Monstrous, from starvation. Neither dreams that together, they could return balance to both their worlds.

Isra wants to help the city’s Banished people, second-class citizens despised for possessing Monstrous traits. But after she enlists the aid of her prisoner, Gem, who has been captured while trying to steal Yuan’s enchanted roses, she begins to care for him, and to question everything she has been brought up to believe.

As secrets are revealed and Isra’s sight, which vanished during her childhood, returned, Isra will have to choose between duty to her people and the beast she has come to love.

 

Publication: January 28th, 2014

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom—all because of a reckless bargain her father struck. And since birth, she has been training to kill him.

Betrayed by her family yet bound to obey, Nyx rails against her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, she abandons everything she’s ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, disarm him, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle—a shifting maze of magical rooms—enthralls her. As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. But even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, could she refuse her duty to kill him?

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Fantastic Fairytales - Nameless by Lili St Crow

Published: April 4th, 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 304

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

When Camille was six years old, she was discovered alone in the snow by Enrico Vultusino, godfather of the Seven—the powerful Families that rule magic-ridden New Haven. Papa Vultusino adopted the mute, scarred child, naming her after his dead wife and raising her in luxury on Haven Hill alongside his own son, Nico.

Now Cami is turning sixteen. She’s no longer mute, though she keeps her faded scars hidden under her school uniform, and though she opens up only to her two best friends, Ruby and Ellie, and to Nico, who has become more than a brother to her. But even though Cami is a pampered Vultusino heiress, she knows that she is not really Family. Unlike them, she is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until she meets the mysterious Tor, who reveals scars of his own, that Cami begins to uncover the secrets of her birth…to find out where she comes from and why her past is threatening her now.

New York Times bestselling author Lili St. Crow thrilled legions of fans with her dark paranormal series Strange Angels. Now she has crafted an evocative update of Snow White, set in a vividly imagined world and populated by unforgettable new characters.

Nameless was a surprising, dark and very gritty  retelling of the perennial favourite, Snow White.  This time around the seven dwarves are represented by 'The Seven', families that have a striking resemblance to the mafia, but in fact are vampire families, with all the inherent politics.

Cami is deeply scarred, both physically and metaphorically from her life before the Seven.  The mystery of what happened to her previously is what drives the story.  Cami's relationship with Nico, her adoptive brother is somewhat strange and unusual.  Nico is not a particulary likeable character, but he is very protective of Cami.  I don't want to give any spoilers so I'll just say their relationship might surprise you. The introduction of a 2nd male character adds an interesting twist to the story but anything else would be a major spoiler, so I'll leave it at that. 

There are some rather confusing dreams about apples, which I never fully understood, but which add significantly to the darkness in the story and Cami's constant nightmares about her time before are not pleasant.  I was so glad to find out eventually why Cami is so scared of stairs - that was very unique and not at all what I expected. 

There is definitely nothing Disney'ish about this Snow White.  It's creepy and cold, very dark, and rather alarming at times.  Had my heart racing on a couple of occasions.  A quick but very worthwhile read.  I loved it.

Fantastic Fairytales - Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Published: March 12, 2013

Publisher: Random House Books for Children

Pages: 339

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale.


As I was reading Strands of Bronze and Gold it occurred to me that Bluebeard is a fairy tale that I am completely unfamiliar with.  Apparently there are versions by both The Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault, but I have no recollection of reading either, which is unusual - I thought I'd read most tales by now. So, I have nothing to compare Strands of Bronze and Gold to.  One thing is for sure, it is a very disturbing story.

Ms. Nickerson has crafted a delicious Southern Gothic mystery, that unravels slowly and carefully.  The reader is aware that something strange has gone on, but unless you know the story, you find out what happened along with Sophia.  One of the most disturbing aspects of the story for me was the extreme age disparity between Sophia and Monsieur de Cressac.  Ugghh!  What a nasty piece of work he is.  Sometimes I think the worst villains are the ones who manage to hide their evilness under a veneer of charm, and he does it so well.  Ms. Nickerson has set her version of the tale in the South and has incorporated aspects of the Underground Railroad.  It's creepy and disturbing but a good read.

This was a fairy quick read for me - about 4 hours - but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I am now determined to find the original story and correct that deficit in my fairy tale education.  For fairy tale lovers everywhere - read and enjoy.

Fantastic Fairytales

OK, I have to confess that I haven't had the chance to read either of these yet, since I just downloaded them yesterday, but I can't wait.  Has anyone read them yet?  What did you think?  Both were published in 2011 by Allen and Unwin.

A dozen of the most exciting and unique writers for young people have chosen fairytales as starting points for their own original stories, in this surprising and spellbinding two-volume collection

Margo Lanagan (Tender Morsels), Rosie Borella, Isobelle Carmody, Richard Harland (Worldshaker), Margaret Mahy (The Seven Chinese Brothers), and Martine Murray (Henrietta There's No One Better) have taken inspiration from stories that have shaped us all, tales like "Beauty and the Beast," "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," and "The Snow Queen." This collection carries universal themes of envy and desire, deception and abandonment, courage and sacrifice. Characters are enchanted, they transgress, they yearn, they hunger, they hate, and, sometimes, they kill. Some of the stories inhabit a traditional fairytale world, while others are set in the distant future. Some are set in the present and some in an alternative present. The stories offer no prescription for living or moral advice and none belong in a nursery. Open the covers and submit to their enchantment.

In this companion to The Wilful Eye, six much-loved writers - Catherine Bateson, Victor Kelleher, Cate Kennedy, Maureen McCarthy, Nan McNab and Kate Thompson - give fresh voice to age-old stories of abandonment, desire and entrapment.

Fantastic Fairytales - Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Published: September 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 404

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real….

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….


I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.

Review:

Let me first say this.  I need to find myself a Cole....

I thoroughly enjoyed Alice in Zombieland.  Gena Showalter has been on my radar for years and I've always wanted to read one of her adult novels.  What originally attracted me to this title was the assumed mash-up storyline.  I like fairytales and I like zombies so I thought I'd give it a shot.

It has been a long tme since I've seen Alice in Wonderland.  When I say a long time, think YEARS!  I was having trouble drawing similarities between this and the original aside from the appearance of a rabbit made of clouds (effectually the"white rabbit" in Gena's rendition).  I haven't determined who "the queen" is yet.

Alice's character starts out fairly delicate and girly but she toughens up throughout the story.  Gena does an excellent job in creating sexual tension between Ali and Cole.  It was palpable.  Their connection is so strong!  It reminded me of some of the tense moments between Nora and Patch in the Hush Hush series. The first time they see each other each day, they have a shared vision of what is to come.  Joint prophecy?  Interesting concept and mighty embarassing when you haven't even struck up a relationship with your prophetic partner!  

Another concept which I found was different from other zombie books was Ms. Showalter's interpretation of zombies eating spirit rather than flesh.  It is different than our typical idea of zombies and felt a little bit more intimate.  The thought of a creature you CAN'T see entering your body to snack on your soul.  Ew...

Overally this was a great introduction to the series and there were many interesting loose ends, encouraging the reader to continue into Book #2.   On a side note, I would love to see Ali meet Nora Dearly of Dearly Departed and compare zombie notes.  What a conversation THAT would be!

Fantastic Fairytales - Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs

 

Publihsed: November 13th, 2012

Publisher: Entangled Press

Pages: 290

Copy: From Publisher

Summary: Goodreads

While trying to save her brother from a witch’s fire four years ago, Greta was thrown in herself, falling through a portal to Mylena, a dangerous world where humans are the enemy and every ogre, ghoul, and goblin has a dark side that comes out with the eclipse.

To survive, Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young goblin king, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her will to escape.

But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. An ancient evil knows she’s the key to opening the portal, and with the next eclipse mere days away, every bloodthirsty creature in the realm is after her—including Isaac. If Greta fails, she and the lost boys of Mylena will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back...

So technically, Greta and the Goblin King is not a fairy tale, but it does have goblins and gnomes and various other fairytale'ish creatures - both nice and not so nice - so I decided it would work for the purposes of this post.

I was thrilled when the publisher offered me the chance to review this title as it had been on my radar for a little while, and it did not disappoint.  Ms Jacobs handled the world building here very deftly and as the story progresses the reasons behind the abductions become clearer and clearer.  There are some very nasty creatures in Mylena and I loved Ms Jacobs twist of having every creature completely flip when there is an eclipse. It added a very successful element to the story that became an integral part of the plot and helped ratchet up the suspense level.

I found Greta to be a fairly sympathetic character, who has had a tough time coming to grips with a new life in a strange world.  She handles situations rather well I thought. There was a hint of a triangle, but to be honest it is only a little one and there really isn't much doubt who Greta is going to fall for.  Issac is definitely not your typical love interest.  His nasty side is really, really nasty and very unusual I must say. If you think shapeshifters are strange, just wait 'til you read about goblins under the influence of the eclipse.   Wyatt was a nice character.  He is one of a group of humans that Greta stumbles upon and he seems like the kind of caring guy we would all love to meet.  His concern and care for the young kids under his protection is really something.  I liked him a lot.

There is a lovely mystery going on here with the identity of the wicked Agramon and trying to find out just why he has had so many human boys abducted, and when Greta finally has to confront him, the results are not quite what I was expecting.  The action was continuous throughout the story and there is a level of tension that kept the story intriguing and enjoyable. It looks like there are going to be more in the series and I will be keeping an eye out for them. For those of you who like an interesting fantasy, give Greta and the Goblin King a try.

Fantastic Fairytales - The Paranormalcy series by Kiersten White

 

Published: 2010 to 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

 

 

I don't know how many of you out there haven't read this series yet, but if you are a fairy tale fan and you haven't, well it's time you corrected that deficit.

 

Kiersten White has written a funny, exciting and mysterious story about a young girl who's biggest ambition in live so far is to go to high school and have her own locker.  The fairies are dark and dangerous with an evil queen who likes to torture humas. The humans are in mortal danger and don't realise it. The other supenaturals are all depending on Evie to save them from a possible armageddon, and Evie herself - well, she just wants to be normal.

 

There is a beautiful romance that will have you sighing, a kick-ass heroine armed with a pink taser, and enough humour to keep you laughing from beginning to end.  And with all that, it's perfectly acceptable for younger teens too.  If you haven't read this series yet, give it a try - it might surprise you.  Lots of fun, and you have the added advantage of being able to read it all with no wait inbetween.

 

 

Read our reviews for Paranormalcy (and here), Supernaturally and Endlessly.

 

 

Fantastic Fairytales - Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

 

Published: June 2007

Publisher: Harper Teen

Audio produced by: Harper Audio

Length: 10 hours 11 minutes

Summary: Overdrive

 

 

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries. Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries. Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.
Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention. But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.
Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.
Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale.

 

Wicked Lovely was first published  back in 2007, so I figured it might actually be an unknown title for some of you.

After I had finished Wicked Lovely and had my review planned out, I realised that Christinabean had already reviewed this book way  back in October 2010.  Anyway, I thought it was worth mentioning again in our Fantastic Fairytales meme, because it really is fantastic.

It is a very dark fairy story, where the fae are mischievious and downright nasty.  As Christinabean said in her review, if you're expecting sweet and sparkly, you won't find it in this book.   Ever heard the tale that  if you eat or drink anything in Faerie then you cannot leave - well that kept running through my mind while reading this book.  I was mentally willing the characters to remember it. 

The story is enthralling and the characters believable, and there is a wonderful message running through the story that things/people are not always what they seem.  It gave me shivers in some places.  Now I'm off to get Ink Exchange, closely followed  by Fragile Eternity, Radiant Shadows and Darkest Mercy.  They are all sitting on my shelf, so I've no excuse not to read them.  I can't wait to see what happens to Aislinn and Seth.  A definite must read for fairy tale fans.

Fantastic Fairytales - Starling by Lesley Livingstone

Published: August 28th, 2012

Publisher: Harper Teen

Pages: 341

Copy: My own

Summary: Goodreads

Mason Starling is a champion fencer on the Gosforth Academy team, but she's never had to fight for her life. Not until the night a ferocious, otherworldly storm rips through Manhattan, trapping Mason and her teammates inside the school. Mason is besieged by nightmarish creatures more terrifying than the thunder and lightning as the raging tempest also brings a dangerous stranger into her life: a young man who remembers nothing but his name--the Fennrys Wolf. His arrival tears Mason's world apart, even as she feels an undeniable connection to him. Together, they seek to unravel the secrets of Fenn's identity as strange and supernatural forces gather around them. When they discover Mason's family--with its dark allegiance to ancient Norse gods--is at the heart of the mystery, Fennrys and Mason are suddenly faced with a terrifying future.

Set against the gritty, shadowed back-drop of New York City, this first novel in award-winning author Lesley Livingston's epic Starling Saga is an intoxicating blend of sweeping romance and pulse-pounding action.

I suspect some of you will be thinking to yourselves  - why is Curlypow putting a book about Norse gods in the Fantastic Fairytales slot?  Well - Starling is a combination of Fae creatures and Norse mythology and one of the main characters is a member of the Janus guard (a la Wondrous Strange trilogy), which is to do with the Faerie realm.  Although if you haven't read Wondrous Strange et al, that fact is not really significant, 'cos it isn't mentioned in the book.  In fact the Fennrys Wolf has lost his memory, which causes all sorts of problems.  Let's just say that in my mind, it fits as a fairytale and leave it at that!

I think the only thing I didn't like about Starling is the main characters' name - Mason.  Just doesn't sound like a girls name to me - but the reason for it is very nicely explained and makes perfect sense.   Mason fences, literally.  You see she is on the fencing team at her school.  Comes in pretty handy when you're fighting of all sorts of nasty, clawing creatures.  She is a strong character with some vulnerabilities and I found her easy to relate to. The Fennrys Wolf arrives on the scene with a jaw-dropping bang, and even though I remember him as a particularly enigmatic character from previous books, you just can't help but fall for him here. Lots of interesting minor characters pop in and out and many will surprise you.  Allegiences are not always what you think they should be, and the twists and turns are fascinating.  Mason's brother Rory is a particularly nasty piece of work.

There is something about the way that Ms Livingstone strings words together that I just love. She manages to produce an atmosphere that will have your heart pounding. I find it so easy to actually picture scenes in my mind when I read her words. Now I'm prepared to admit that I am an absolute fangirl when it comes to Livingstone's work. The fact that I have met her and that she narrates her own audio books comes into play, because as I was reading, I could almost hear her in my mind, and she has this deep, plummy voice that is perfect for narration - well she is an actress after all.

Starling has multiple layers to it and as the story progresses you realise that there is much, much more going on than meets the eye. The whole story is based on Norse mythology that has obviously been meticulously researched  and the result is a tense, roller coaster ride that starts in the first chapter and doesn't stop - not even at the end - damn those cliff hangers. Exciting, romantic, thrilling and lots of fun, give yourself a treat and read Starling.  The only disappointment will be that we have to wait so long for the sequel.

Fantastic Fairytales The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones

Published: February 2007

Publisher: Eos

Summary: Goodreads

Swept away into a court of magic and beauty, she discovers she is Tania, the lost princess of Faerie: the youngest daughter of Oberon and Titania. Since Tania's mysterious disappearance on the eve of her wedding five hundred years before, Faerie has been sunk in darkness and gloom. The courtly Lord Gabriel Drake, who Tania was once to marry, has found her and brought her back.

With Tania's return, Faerie comes alive again as a land of winged children, glittering balls, and fantastic delights. But Tania can't forget Anita's world, or the boy she loved there.

Torn between two loves and between two worlds, Tania slowly comes to discover why she disappeared so long ago. She possesses a singular magical ability and she must use it to stop a sinister plan that threatens the entire world of Faerie.

Ok, time to fess up.  I haven't read this book.  I own a copy that I snagged off the sale cart at the library a few weeks ago, but I haven't got around to reading it yet.  I have been looking at this book for years - literally.  I even took it home a few times, but for one reason or another never read it.  It sounds wonderful, so I don't know why I haven't read it.  Is there anyone out there who has read this one and can tell me whether it's worth cracking open or not? I'd love to hear from you and get your opinions on this one.  If it is good there are more in the series, but I have so much to read right now I feel reluctant to start another so-so series.  Let me know what you think.

Fantastic Fairytales - The Faraway Tree collection by Enid Blyton

Originally  published: 1939


The Enchanted Wood is one of Enid Blyton's most memorable and truly imaginative stories, capturing a world where almost anything can happen if you just believe in the magic of nature and its creatures.

Many adults will have fond memories of discovering the world of The Enchanted Wood: from the delightfully gentle Silky the Fairy, to the wonderfully bizarre but terminally jolly Moon-Face who along with a host of strange and mysterious characters live among the branches of The Magic Faraway Tree.

Kate Winslet, the award-winning actress, was captivated by the stories at an early age and during her pregnancy approached the company who own the rights to the Enid Blyton name to ask them if they would be interested in having her record these magical stories on tape. The result is stunning.

Winslet, with her gentle, singsong voice, captures the pure joy of these unforgettable stories from the moment the tale begins, and Joe, Beth and Fanny--the three young children who move from the city with their family to the country house surrounded by the Enchanted Wood--are captured as the wide-eyed and open-minded children they really are, eager to become involved in all manner of adventure and never once questioning that this strange world they have entered might not be quite, well, normal.

Whenever I am asked what book first started me reading, my answer is The Enchanted Wood, by Enid Blyton.  That's not strictly true, I had read many books before that - I was one of those annoying kids that could read chapter books almost before I started school - but this was the book that convinced me completely that reading was going to become a lifelong passion.

The Enchanted Wood  is a tale about 3 kids who discover a magic tree in an enchanted wood.  As you climb this tree you find different fruits growing on different branches - so cool.  As you are climbing you meet different 'people' who live in the tree: Silky the fairy; Moon Face the ?(sorry, never did quite work out what he is, maybe an elf?); Mr Whatchamacallit, who can't remember his name; Dame Washalot, who is constantly pouring dirty water down the tree; The Saucepan Man, who makes so much noise when he walks, and so many other diverse characters that I can't remember them all.  The best part about this tree though is that when you reach the top the branches lead into different worlds - and that's where the real adventures begin. Then when you are finished with your adventure you can pick up a cushion and slide down the inside of the tree to the ground.  Tell me, what could be better than that?

I remember visiting Upside Down world, and trying for days afterward to walk on my hands.  I had tea with the three bears, but not quite the ones I remember.  There were candy worlds, empty worlds, sad worlds, happy worlds.  So many I can't remember, but each world had at least a chapter all to itself and I was transported it my mind.

Enid Blyton wrote so many novels about so many different things.  Does anyone remember The Famous Five books - finding treasure on Kirrin Island (gold ingots in fact) - there were 21 of those and my kids read all of them.  Love boarding school books?  Ms Blyton wrote one of the best series about being away from home at school with the Mallory Tower books - the first one in 1946 - and don't forget the 6 St Clare's books, also about boarding school and written even earlier.  But for me it was the Faraway Tree books that were favourites.  There are four of them in all: The Enchanted Wood, The Magic Faraway Tree and The Folk of the Faraway Tree were the originals then there was Up the Faraway Tree - I didn't enjoy it quite so much, I think because some extra kids were added and the dynamics changed.

Yes I know they are incredibly dated now, but they hark back to a time when parents let their kids go out all day, as long as they were home for supper.  There were no electronic device and the world seemed just a little less scary.  If you haven't come across them yet and you ever see them, give them a try and let your imagination soar.

I think I'll have to try and find the recordings by Kate Winslet, just to see what she does with my favourite books.

Fantastic Fairytales - Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey

Published: October 2011

Publisher: Luna

Pages:329

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

The eldest daughter is often doomed in fairy tales. But Bella--Isabella Beauchamps, daughter of a wealthy merchant--vows to escape the usual pitfalls.

Anxious to avoid the Traditional path, Bella dons a red cloak and ventures into the forbidden forest to consult with "Granny," the local wisewoman. But on the way home she's attacked by a wolf--who turns out to be a cursed nobleman Secluded in his castle, Bella is torn between her family and this strange man who creates marvelous inventions and makes her laugh--when he isn't howling at the moon.

Breaking spells is never easy. But a determined beauty, a wizard (after all, he's only an occasional werewolf) and a little godmotherly interference might just be able to bring about a happy ending....

Beauty and the Werewolf is the 6th book in Mercedes Lackey's Five Hundred Kingdoms series.  Each book in the series is based on a fairytale, and in this case, obviously, the fairytale is Beauty and the Beast - my favourite.

Ms Lackey has crafted a delightful fantasy with a feisty Beauty and a sweet and lovable Beast, well most of the time, anyway.  What makes this tale different is the addition of an extra antagonist, who has more sides to him than can be counted and who I found myself loving and hating in equal measure.

What I particularly enjoyed about this version of the story are the nods to Cinderella and Red Riding Hood.  Beauty has a stepmother and two stepsisters and goes to visit Granny in the woods wearing her red cape.  So much fun! Then there are the magic mirrors and mysterious servants in the mirror, a la Snow White. And don't forget the invisible servants! Add in a pinch of Tradition and Ms Lackey takes the traditional tale and twists it this way and that to produce an entrancing story that I finished in one day and loved every minute of.

Fairytale lovers, if you haven't yet encountered Ms Lackey's Five Hundred Kingdoms, then give yourself a treat and search them out.  They shouldn't be too hard to find.

1.The Fairy Godmother
2. One Good Knight
3. Fortune's Fool
4. The Snow Queen
5. The Sleeping Beauty
6. Beauty and the Werewolf